Those Who Carry OWB

[PawDaddy]

What is the secret? How do you conceal with an OWB holster?

I have always carried IWB, but some health issues warrant that I carry a different way now. But, I have not been able to carry any handgun OWB without a big bulge showing. I am about 5'10" and 170#.

 

[SeanMTX]

I had a Fobus paddle holster for my Taurus PT145, and while it didn't conceal as well as IWB, there are a few tricks to help it.

1. Obviously...clothing. Choose darker color shirts, preferably with a pattern...something God-awful usually conceals better. Plaid, striped etc. Thinner fabrics like silk or linen don't conceal as well as cotton or wool, but depending on where you live, cotton might be your only choice here.

2. Buy a holster that will allow for cant. If you rotate the gun in the holster to where the grip is almost vertical, it will alleviate a lot of the printing issues with the grip end itself. This still allows for a quick draw, and in the case of the Fobus, often quicker than normal. It's more difficult to reholster however.

3. Cinch up the belt on your waist one notch tighter, the less 'play' you have in the holster, the better concealment you'll get.


Hope this helps! Good luck.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I can carry OWB just fine depending on the shirts I wear (longer and baggier are better). It's super easy to carry OWB in the winter when you can wear sweaters and jackets...

I don't carry OWB as much in the summer.

It is much more comfortable though...

 

[MAKster]

If you want to conceal your gun while using a OWB holster you need to wear an untucked shirt or jacket. You also need to use a holster where the gun is above the belt not below the belt.

 

[garlicguy]

Think Hawaiian!

Worked pretty well for me with a Taurus Ultra-lite .38 spcl and a Fobus Tactical paddle holster. The local LEO friends told me they could not spot it.

These days I'm pocketing an NAA .22 mag mini just about everywhere.

 

[Prepster]

I find that I can do it without an issue in the winter, but when it's warm I can't really do it without abandoning my sense of fashion. If an ultra baggy shirt is everyday wear it probably won't be a problem.

 

[wnycollector]

I occasionally carry OWB with either a belt slide holster or my simplyrugged sourdough pancake. I can only pull it off in winter, when a big untucked flanel shirt does not look out of place.

Have you thought of carrying a .38 J frame or small .380 (i.e P3AT or LCP) in your pocket?

 

[GRB]

OWB? Funny way of saying you are carrying in a belt holster, or in a soulder rig, or in an ankle holster because they are all outside the waist band.

I virtually always carry in a belt holster, on my strong side hip. I have no problems concealing it. I either wear a jacket, a vest, an open button down shirt over a tee shirt, or a loose fitting shirt - all which conceal the weapon. So what if someone sees an outline of it. Their seeing an outline does not tell them what it is, nor is a cop seeing it going to be a problem (or so I would think). The truth is most people - even law enforcement - do not recognize it for what it is.

Heck I carry a Glock 19 in the hip holster, and carry a double mag pouch on my other side, and carry pepper spray, and carry a cuff case, and carry a cell phone, and carry a belt badge - and the last time a police officer questioned me about any of it was probably more than 10 years ago when I bent over to get a drink of water from a fountain and my shirt or jacket rode up over the muzzle a tad. Such questions from officers have een few and far between, and although I am an LEO, I often do not fit the mold or look the part, yet they just do not notice.

All the best,
GB

 

[PawDaddy]

Yes, I have been thinking about going with a snubby. I do have a Model 10 snubby and a 3" Taurus 85, but can not carry either of them in a pocket.

I have been thinking about onr of the lock free 2" Smiths or an LCP.

I do wear most of my shirts untucked, but I cannot carry without the big bulge. I do not see how anyone can.

I do understand that it can be done in the winter, but you still have to pull your coat/jacket off at some point.

 

[6_gunner]

In the summer, I carry a 6" barrel Model 10 under an untucked t-shirt with an open button-up shirt over it. In cooler weather, I'm able to carry a 3.25" N-frame under an A-2 flight jacket. The .38 is too long for the leather jacket to cover, while the big N-frame produces a noticeable bulge under just a shirt. Either way, I carry in a belt holster on the strong side. Both guns have old-fashioned thin grips, which probably helps.

I don't know of anybody ever being able to tell that I was carrying.

Most people should be able to carry a medium-size revolver or large auto in any weather, if they dress around it.

 

[loneviking]

Part of the secret is the design of the holster. Some of your holsters leave a lot of the gun exposed which can 'print' through fabric. An example would be the DeSantis speed scabbard. Great holster, fast to get too, but with thin fabric would probably print.

At the other end are the paddle holsters from simplyrugged.com

The outside of the holster is smooth and follows the curve of the body with only the butt of the gun showing. That's much easier to conceal.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a Milt Sparks #Axiom holster - built for 1 1/2" belt it only comes in
the "FBI" Cant, i.e. muzzle rearward but not a prounounced
tilt. It's for a full size 1911 - it has two belt loops that each have two
snaps. THe upper snap is indexed to a little notch, so you have to
fiddle a little to get it to snap - but the snaps mean you have the option of
removing it without having to undoo the belt. It's not that High Riding
though so a 'fishermans/photo vest is what I usually wear or a light windbreaker. It is built to keep the gun close to the body I've since found the Milt SParks #55BN is higher riding and besides FBI cant, it is also
one of the few MS offers with muzzle forward for a cross draw. I'm thinking
of ordering one from my CZ 75B.

One thing the O.P. I think failed to mention is what handgun he carries?

R-

 

[shadowalker]

I am 6'1, 190 lb, I carry OWB and am able to conceal with just an untucked polo shirt. Dark colors and stripes help but aren't completely necessary for me.

A high quality belt and holster are the key.

I conceal a Sig P229, XD 45 ACP Service or Ruger P90 just behind the hip without difficulty.

 

[machinisttx]

Quality belt and holster, plus what SeanMTX said.

 

[Mainsail]

I carry a Sig GSR 1911 OWB openly. I don't like concealed.

 

[XavierBreath]

Under a Sportscoat.

Under a sweatshirt or T-shirt

I see that you are in Alabama. If you want a few tips on hot to pack heat in the heat, give this link a read.

I do understand that it can be done in the winter, but you still have to pull your coat/jacket off at some point.

No, you really don't. For Summer, shop around for a true tropical weight sportscoat. Some in the newer breathable fabics have a mesh lining similar to sportswear, and are not difficult to wear.

I was tough for me to accept wearing a hoodie in the cooler months. Now, I have adapted, and it works great as a cover garment. The holster design is critical. You want a holster that pulls the but of the gun in towards you. Try strapping it on just behind the seam of your trousers at 4:00. You may be surprised at how the gun disappears.

 

[Area 52]

Since you wear most shirts untucked, you could go with a shoulder holster between under shirt and shirt. Just pull up your shirt with your non shooting hand and grab it with the other. A holster that holds the gun vertical would be easier to conceal the bulge of, but a horizontal one would be easier to draw from.

 

[PawDaddy]

One thing the O.P. I think failed to mention is what handgun he carries?

I have the two mentioned 38's. A Taurus 85 with 3" barrel and a S&W 10 with 2" barrel.

What I would like to carry (because of shootability) is my S&W 99 9mm. It kills my side to carry this pistol IWB. I like this gun, but cannot hide it.

 

[Thunder496]

I'm 6' even and just shy of 200# I carry a G26 in an Uncle Mikes IWB holster in my front jeans or shorts pocket, and Most XL Tee shirts will cover it up without printing. If I feel that the shirt may be too short I will tuck the bottom edge of it under the belt clip of the holster to help hold it down. I tried the same way with my wife’s G17 and seams to conceal just as good. I’m really thinking of a Ruger LCP all the way in the pocket for times I want to go with a tucked shirt.

 

[CajunBass]

The key to it is just to act normal. Most people wouldn't notice an AK slung over your shoulder, much less a handgun that you're making any attempt at all to hide. Today people have so much junk on their belts, even if they do notice something about the last thing they're going to think is "gun."

I carry either a G-19, or a Colt Commander and no one has ever said anything when I have a shirttail over it. As a matter of fact, almost no one ever comments when I open carry.

 

[kcshooter]

Good belt, good holster, and even a t-shirt will cover it. You may need to carry at about 4 or 5 oclock, but I'm 6' and 165lbs and carry a commander 1911 much of the time.

The biggest secret is this: don't worry about it. People generally don't notice, and if they do, they will assume cellphone, PDA, or anything else before they think it's a gun. I'm almost always printing a little bit, but I've never been called out on it. Even friends that know I carry all the time often ask me if I have it on me, and they are looking for it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

when you say you usually wear an untucked shirt, do you mean unbuttoned or a t-shirt?

i'm 5'11" 180lbs and have never had a problem carrying a Beretta 92/96 or a Sig 220/228. it takes a combination of a stiff belt and holster to keep the gun close to your body and a slightly large...my SO tells me it's fashionable...open denim work shirt.

i have carried my S&W 642, in a Fobus paddle holster, under a Eddie Bauer T-shirt (large-tall)

 

[loplop]

Untucked, loose shirt. Honestly, I think people worry too much about "printing." I've been carrying now for 4 years, since Ohio passed the CCW law, and I have never been "made." You don't need the gun to completely disappear, just cover the darn thing. A slight lump on your side will alert NO ONE. People will think it's a cellphone.

Just a few nights ago I wore my N-Frame 4" S&W, OWB with a Milt Sparks PMK. It's fairly hot here in Ohio and I just wore a t shirt over top. Guess what? No one noticed. This wouldn't be my preferred rig if I were going to a (non alcohol serving, of course) restaurant, as it would stick out below the shirt if I sat down. But walking around in a store? Forgetaboutit.

I'm not a big guy. 5'11" 155lbs.

People worry WAY too much about printing. I personally think a comfortable holster is way more important than "extreme deep concealment" which is what everyone seems to go for. As in your comfort. If you're comfortable, and not constantly fidgiting and thinking "damn, I have a GUN on!" then you'll be calm, cool, and collected... Just like everyone else. No one will notice a thing. Do you look at every lump on everyone's side and think "is that a cellphone or a GUN??" Dunno, not me. There are a lot of cellphones around here

Would a hawaiian print shirt be better? Sure. I didn't have one on, though, and a quick mirror check revealed little more than a "cellphone lump" so I knew I'd be fine.

Now, I don't necessarily recommend constant carry of a full size 1911 or N frame. They're heavy. Most of the time in the superheat of the summer I carry a smaller auto IWB (now the PM9, sooooo light) or sometimes pocket carry depending upon mood/dress. But you CAN do it.

I find OWB carry more comfy than IWB, and I'm considering an OWB rig for my PM9. LIke I said, I just don't think EDC is that necessary in my environment. I don't think you need something that rides ABOVE the belt... That's too high and the gun will flop around. But something higher than my PMK (which rides very low) will be better, so when you sit down the gun won't "pop" out underneath the shirt. Something your shirttails will cover with a little extra for insurance.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

If you want to conceal your gun while using a OWB holster you need to wear an untucked shirt or jacket.

You don't with an IWB?

You just wear a jacket, like a suit jacket, or winter coat/ jacket. OR, you have very very high ride holster, with a longish sweatshirt or shirt, untucked.

 

[KC0QGL]

I use a Desantis Gunhide it works IWB or OWB and right or left handed